This year has been INSANE, to say the least! We want to take a moment to introduce our amazing hardworking fellows. They have been with us since the fall of 2024. We asked them 4 questions about their fellowship so far and to tell us about themselves, here is what they had to say:

Aya Baazizi (NNAAC Transformative Leaders Fellow)

1. What inspired you to pursue this fellowship? I was inspired to pursue this fellowship because all my life I noticed that I didn’t have representation, although I was aware that I have a voice it felt like it didn’t matter or that my identity was too political. Now that i’m older I acknowledge, yes my identity is political and I embrace that. This acknowledgement made me want to take up space and contribute to my community. I saw AACC as the perfect way to do so.
2. Three things I have done and learned since the start of my fellowship:
   • I learned about nonprofit and social justice work since I started my fellowship are; not everyone will agree with or support you, even members from your own community.
   • Persistence, perseverance and self assurance are the way to go when achieving your goals.
   • Overcoming obstacles, and you won’t always be successful on your first try.
3. One thing on my bucket list is to make sure North Africans are a part of the conversation when it comes to social justice and awareness for people of color and the SWANA community.
4. Outside of work I like to go to the gym.

Muntadhar Aljadeed (UCR M.E. Student Center/IMPACT Intern)

1. What inspired you to pursue this fellowship? Growing up in the Arab American community, I saw many faults that I knew needed to be addressed—gaps in civic engagement, a lack of representation, and a need for stronger advocacy. I pursued this fellowship because I wanted to be part of the change, to empower my community, and to create spaces where our voices are heard and valued.
2. Three things I have done and learned since the start of my fellowship:
   • Organizing: I’ve learned how to bring people together, mobilize resources, and plan initiatives that create real impact in our community.
   • It’s about the journey, not just the accomplishment: Advocacy and social justice work take time, and I’ve come to appreciate the small victories along the way. Change isn’t always immediate, but every conversation and effort counts.
   • Teaching students about organizing and advocacy: I’ve learned effective ways to educate and inspire students to get involved in organizing, helping them understand their power in shaping policies and making a difference.
3. One thing on my bucket list:I want to travel across the Middle East and document my journey, capturing the rich histories, cultures, and everyday lives of people in the region.
4. What I like to do outside of work: Outside of work, I love working on cars. When we lived in Iraq, my father was involved in importing and exporting vehicles, and that passion followed me as I grew up in the United States. There’s something rewarding about understanding how cars work and bringing them back to life.